NASA has told the US Senate it could decide in the second quarter of 2008 to continue using its orbiter Atlantis after its planned retirement date. Such a decision would raise new budget questions. The agency's administrator Michael Griffin also told the Senate that he wants to fly the Space Shuttle’s two previously unconfirmed contingency missions, extending the remaining Shuttle flights to 13 and raising costs.

The two contingency missions are for International Space Station research equipment and spares. NASA sources have told Flight that Atlantis' proposed retention is for robust manifest planning and “skill retention” within the agency.

As well as Griffin, testimony was given by NASA associate administrator for space operations William Gerstenmaier, and associate administrator for exploration systems Richard Gilbrech.

Gilbrech told the Senate that the agency would need an extra $350 million in FY2009 and $400 million in FY2010 to start manned Orion flights in 2014. To advance that to 2013 would need $1 billion more in both years.